Flat-knit non-run or strongly runresistant stocking and blank therefor and method ofmaking same



, E. E. cARLsoN 2,037,000 N OR STRONGLY RUN RESISTANT STOCKlNG EREFOR AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 prl 104, 1936.

. FLAT KNIT NoNRU Filed sept. 11, 1954 AND BLANK lTH April 14, 1936. E. E. CARLSON t, 2,037,000

FLAT KNIT NONRUN OR STRONGLY RUN RESISTANT STOCKING AND BLANK THEREFOR AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME *f Filed Sept. l1, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 2, g 3 ,Z Dfw y I/ '/f dii/.iin

April 14, 1936. E. E. CARLSON 2,037,000

FLAT KNIT NONRUN OR STRONGLY RUN RESISTANT STOCKING' AND BLANK THEREFOR AND METHOD 0F MAKING` SAME Filed sept.v 11, 1954 5 sheets-sheet 3 5 s F .8. Iig ,ar/g

April 14,1936.-

`FLAT KNIT NONRUN OR ST E. E. CARLSON RONGLY RUN RESISTANT STOCKING AND BLANK THEREFOR AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME 5 Sheets-Sheet v 4 Fil'ed Sept. 11, 1954 April 14, 1936. E. E, CARLSON 2,037,000.

FLA NIT NONRUN OR STRONGLY RUN RESISTANT STOCKING D BLANKTHEREFOR AND M 0D OF MAKING SAME y Filed Sept. 1934 5 Sheets-Shes?I 5 Patenteclpr. A 14, 1933 PATENT OFFICE 2,037,000 FLAT-KNIT NoN-RUN on s'rRoNGLY RUN- RESISTANT STOCKING AND BLANK' THEREFOR AND METHOD 0F MAKING SAME AEllsworth E. Carlson, Saratoga Springs, N. Y., assignor to Van Raalte Company, NewYork, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application september 11, 1934, serial No. 743,531

l A 35 Claims. This application is a continuation in part of my co-pending application Ser. No. 645,919, filed December 6, 1932, now Patent No. 2,011,267, Au-

gust 13, 1935 and is in part a continuation as to common subject matter of my co-pending applications Ser.,No. 541,245, filed June 1, 1931 now Patent No. 1,989,913, Feb. 5, 1935, and Ser. No.

,613,244, filed May 24, 1932.

In order that the principle of the invention may be ,readily'underst'ood I have in the aocompanying drawings shown two embodiments of my invention in each of which there is dis closed a fashioned knitted stocking blank having a main or weft knittting thread, and a warp thread for each needle Wale of the fabric, such" blank beingfashioned by the transfer in selected coursesof warp and weft loops in fashioning or narrowing. i

,In this application I claim broadly the transferring for narrowing or fashioning of rstitches composed of loops of the main knitting thread and of the correlated or corresponding warp threads, but I do not herein claim the more specific matter or inventioninvolving A4the continuing of the knitting of needle ,wales with warp threads therein, -past the narrowings made by transferring such stitches whether to the toe 'of the stocking or to some intermediate point,

as that is claimed'in my co-pending application Ser. No. 700,193, filed November 29, 1933, now Patent No. 1,978,408.

, My invention in its broadest aspect is not limitedito a 'Warp thread to each needle WaleI inningl needle wales-of the fabric, stitches at the shaped or fashioned areas of said fabric` being each;con `1posed of a loop of said body thread and a loop ofv one of said warp threads, together laterally transferred, thereby to shape or fashion the said fabric.

Fig. lfis aplan View of a blank of an English type offull fashioned or at-knit stocking having my invention, as above stated, applied thereto, said blank representing the knitting thereof through the leg and the top of the foot down to the toe and representing the heel tabs as they appear in the blank`-before the same are cut, the said gur'e representing the iirst embodiment of the invention herein referred to;

(Cl. (i6- 178) Fig. 2 is a view of the same blank after the parts constituting the bottom of the footl and the toe have been knitted thereonto Fig. 3 is a plan view of a portion of the fabric at the narrowings, said view corresponding to a photograph of the fabric as made by a microscopic camera;

Fig. 4 is a detail on a small scale of a portion f the fabric blank at the narrowings on one side;

Fig. 5 represents a plan view of the upper portion of a blank for a full fashioned or flat-knit stocking (parts being broken away) made in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention herein referred to;

Figs. 6 and 'l are plan views of the blank shown in Fig. -5 at subsequent stages of the manufacture thereof, that lshown in Fig. 6 repretoe and that represented in Fig. 7 indicating the completion of the blankby the knitting ofthe bottom of the foot and the toe;

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of a full fashioned I or flat-knit stocking made either from the blanky shown in Figs. 1 and 2 or from the blank s hown -in Figa 5, 6 and '1; and

Fig. 9 is a greatly enlarged representation of stitches of the fabric includingcertain ofthe narrowings when the blank is made in accordance with the second herein disclosed embodiment of the invention.

Referring first to` that embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, and which constitutes a true division of my said co-pending application Ser. No. 645,919, 'now Patent No.

2,011,267, as well as a continuation' in part of my said co-pending application Ser. No. 613,244,

filed `May 24," 1932, the fabric is the same as disclosed in my said original application Ser. No. 541,245, now Patent No. 1,989,913 (that is to say, a main or weft thread is knitted back and forth upon all the needles of a full fashioned machine and a separate warp -thread is introduced into each needle Wale of the fabric and is confined to its own needle Wale). There are as many warp threads thus introduced as there are needle wales in the fabric at its widest extent.

The knitted fabric may be and preferably is a, plain fabric-such as made upon a full fashioned hpsiery machine having a lar'genumber of sections upon each of which a stocking leg, or, if desired, astocking leg and'foot, is'knitted. Any

suitable hosiery yarn or thread may be employed as the main thread or weft thread. as, for example, silk, articial silk, rayon.' cotton or wool.

to time in knitting the stocking as may be neces-'- sary, for example, at the end of the Welt, and

run-resistant in both directions throughout the` entire extent thereof, and-this effect is accomplished by introducing into each needle Wale val separate thread or yarn as shown in Fig.3, of my said application Ser. No. 541,245, nowgPatent of this application.

Each of the said threads or yarns which'may be termed additional or secondary or .warp threads, and which forI convenience I will' .here` inafter refer to as warp threads, may be of any suitable material, but preferably silk. 'I'hey may be introduced by means of t a .guide bar` shown in my said parent application Ser. No. 645,919,l

now Patent No. 2,011,267 having thread guides, one for each needle, which latter are ofthe spring beard type. introduced by a main thread carrier which is traversed to and fro in the manner and by the means existing in the well known Reading mai chine, as,-for example, in the parts catalog of edge for transferring inward stitches composed.

'the Reading Full Fashioned Knitting Machine of Reading, Pa., copyrighted 1929, except that when the end of the leg or calf narrowings'is reached, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the traverse of the main or weft 'thread carrier is in this embodiment of myl invention, abruptly shortened j at each end of its stroke, as indicated also in Fig. 4. The main thread or yarn is indicated at I vin Fig. 3, being traversed from edge to edge of eachl section of the fabric made at one time upon the machine, and the loops or stitches of the'main -yarn or thread are formed in the usual mannen In this first embodiment of the invention herein. (namely, that shown, in

- 1to'4-inclus ive, the traverse of the main thread generically claimed.

Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive), instead of successively shortening at intervals the traverses of the main thread carrier for the purpose of fashioning or to jtransfer inward at the narrowings stitches each composed of a loop of the main knittingthread and a loop of. the warp thread of that needle wale. In that embodiment of vthe same at each of the narrowing'sand this fact in conjunction with the use of narrowing points at each ofl loops both of the main knitting thread and of a warp thread, effect vthe 'actual fashioningor a narrowing of the fabric. v

Referring to the character of the fabric knitted in accordance with both embodiments of the generic invention herein claimed, the warp threads are indicated at 2 in Figs. 3 and 9. Each warp threadJ lies in parallelism with the loop of the main knitting thread I inside the same, and at the top of the loop the warp thread 2 passes to the back of the previous loop and the thread 2 therein and then passes in front of the same down through the next loop when the same has been completed, passing through the back of such No. 1,989,913 and also as shown'in Figs. 3 l

` ithread guide' enters between two next adjacent The main or weft thread may be Y 2,037,000 The yarns or threads may be changed from time' loop and then participates in the formation of the next loop in the next course and the described operation is continued from course to course. Thus, in the fabric herein shown, the warp threads are collectively symmetrically knitted into and incorporated with substantially fall the stitches of al1 said'needle wales, including fashioning wales. The said warp threads 2 do not enterinto or become incorporated in the vsinker wales.'v

. It is unnecessary to describe in detail the means .f'forincorporatingl the warp threads 2 with the main knitting thread I, and it is suiiicient `to state that the guide bar for the warp threads has f v v imparted thereto a movement lengthwise the machine and also a movement transverse to the line of needles of; the machine, so that each warp :needles:l preferably from rear to front, is then moved lengthwise the machine a distance of one ffnee iile',fis` then swung rearwardly so as to cause each'warpthread guide to pass through the needlelinebetween the next twoadjacent needles,

The Warp threads are desirably supported-upon 'asmall warp beam and the number of the said warpthreads 2 is the same as the number of active needles in'any section or blank (that is, thejfsameA as the greatest number of needles activegat any time in the production of the hosiery fabric); Therefore' thenumber of warp thread guides is' the vsame asjthe'total number of warp threads 2. VMy inventio'n is, however, not limited to the employment of awarp thread to each' needle Wale.l j

The :stoekingblank is begun at the commencementof the we lt7"(f awelt be made)f,and after ltheknittingofthe weltindicated at 3 in the Aseveral figures; the knitting of the leg portion below the lwelt is continued of the fun width of the welt down to the commencement of the narrowinga' whether they be those just below the welter. whetherthey be those in the calf or ankle portion of the leg. In vknitting the blank. in :accordance with the disclosure in Figs.

oal'rier'is"V continued. of the full width to a l l"po'ii'it*,iu's't,,-below `th'efcalf narrowings, as indinarrowing the fabric, I employ narrowing points "cated, atv ifiniigsrland 2, and at 5 in Fig.' 4, at which 'point the traverse of the said main `vthread carrier is abruptly 4shortened as is indicated'at 6-6`in"Figs.g11and 2 and at 6 in Fig. 4, after which the knitting is continued along paral- .the machine at each side or edge of the blank to enter the desired or selected stitches or lo'ops composed. of the mainor weftk thread I .and warp' threads 2, and transfer the same laterally, so as to provide two inclined lines of narrowings Aindicated at I U-IU in Figs. 1 and 2, and at I 0 in Figs. 3 and 4. lThis I do automatically by any suitable rmeans, as, for example, the means shown in my said parent application Ser. No. 645,919 now Patent No. 2,011,267. In this mannenI produce the fabric structure represented in Figs. 3 and 4.

lel v lines I-1 of lfduring the knitting of l Referring more particularly to Figs. 3 and 4, the knitting-iscontinued from the top or welt ofthe stocking down to a point just below the inclined lines of narrowings I0 of Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, and the inclined lines of openings II of the calf or ankle portion, and then by automatically or otherwise shortening the traverse of the main thread carrier at each end of a traversing movement, the knitting is continued for the narrower fabric portion 8 of Fig. 1, as already described, which narrower fabric' is of suicient width to provide for the instep as well as the heel tabs and the part of the fabric directly in longitudinal line with the said heel tabs. The toe is knitted as indicated in my original application Ser. No. 541,245 now Patent No. 1,989,913. Thus, the knitting is terminated just below' the termination of the lines of narrowing I0 I0 at a horizontal line connecting the points 5 5, as to those needles where narrowings have occurred by reason of the use of transfer points to make the said narrowings I0 IIl. y

INotwithstanding the fact that fthe fabric is knitted of the full width from the upper end of the stocking down to a horizontal line connecting the points-5 5 of Figs. 1 and 2 `(in this first -embodimentf of my present generic invention), the

stitches at the points where the fashioning or narrowing is to be provided arey transferred inward ber at each side or edge of the blank. Each stitch embodiment of ya structure wherein is contained my said generic invention. Inasmuch as the warp threads 2 introduced by the endmost warp guides and those near thereto remain in action, it will be evident that the warp threads 2 continue to be supplied to the same identical needles as before, although certain stitches (composed both of loops of the main thread and of the corresponding Warp threads) are laterally shifted inward as indicated at I Il in Fig. 3. The result is to provide an inclined line of small openings I I, Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, along each side of the fabric from say a point indicatedat I2 I2 in Figs. 1 and '2- down to a transverse line indicatedy at 5.

In Fig. 3 is represented the structure ofthe re.-

sulting fabric of this first embodiment of my said generic invention, and it will be 'observed that each of the openings I I is traversed by one warp thread 2, such thread becoming at once incorporated in the further knitting of they fabric in the `two triangular portionsf I3-I3 of Figsfland 2, and the portion- I3 of Figs. 3 and 4.

Afterl the knitting of the entire blank has been completed I trim off each edge of the blank'along the lines of holes- I I I I. This leaves entirely acceptable edges because of the non-run character of the fabric and the two inclined edges are then seamed together in any suitable manner to make the stocking shown in Fig. 8. I may narrow or fashionby transferring 'of stiches to ,the extent of one needle or of two needles. So far as I am aware, it is new in .the art to transfer both warp threads and the main knitting thread,

and it is to that feature that my said generic invention is herein directed, irrespective of the number 'of warp threads, certain of which, however, are in fashioning wales, and loops thereof are laterally transferred with corresponding loops of the main knitting thread.

Ihe narrowing points may be similar to and may be mounted in a manner substantially the same as in the said Reading machine so that the proper dipping movements may be imparted thereto, and for explanation of the means for imparting such dipping movement, reference is made to the said Reading machine and to the said catalog. l l

It will be understood that the progress of the main thread carrier across the bank of needles starts substantially simultaneously with the com- My invention f blank continue without interruption from the top of the stocking down the leg and instep to the toe. `The heel'tabs are` represented at 9 9 in Figs. l and 2, and after the blank of Fig. 1 has been knitted,the said blank is preferably cut along lines M M from the bottom of the blank at I5 I5 so as to produce the cut edges I6 I6vof Fig. 2 and to permit the heel tabs 9 to be-turned upinto the position shown in Fig. 2. The stocking blank having been transferred toa footer, the sole'portions I'I-I1 are knitted as continuations of the edges I 8 I8 of the heel tabs 9, and the toe I9 is knitted with the desired fashionings 20 2. The said heel tabs 9 may be fashioned as indicated at 2| 2I of Fig. l. inforced by the introduction into each of an additional weft thread by weft thread carriers promachine. I

It will be understood that the foot of the stocking shown in Figs. 2 and 8 is preferably formed in the following manner, especially in making the stocking of the said` first embodiment: When the warp thread ngers that introduce the Warp ,threads at the parts where the narrowings are to occur are all out of action, the knitting of' the.

Afabric` continues, but of the widthindicated by the line 22 in Fig. 1, down through the formation of the heel tabs 9 9 and vdesirably also of that same width asindicated at 1 1 in Fig. 1 down to the toe. i If, however, I proceed by throwing out other warp thread fingers upon thetermination of the heel tabs 9 9 to reduce J4thewidth "of the fabric to the Width of the instep or top 'of the foot, the fabric thereafter knitted is f the reduced width indicated in Fig. 2 byfthe lines I6 I6 down to the top of thetoe.' or I may proceed by continuing the knitting of the Width indicated by the line 22 of Fig. 1A down to the toe and then cut the fabric lengthwise beginning at the points I5, I5 of Fig. l and extending up sufficiently along the sides of the heel tabs 9, 9

`when seamed together at their outer edges and to the sides of the instep portion 8 form the bottom of the fot.

It will be noted that the heel tabs 9 are pro- The said heel tabs 9 are revided for that purpose as in the usual Reading vided with narrowings 2| of the same character as the narrowings II)I at the calf or ankle portion.

Referring now to the second embodiment of --a full-fashioned or flat-knit stocking and blank,

' containing the broad generic invention herein CTI claimed, the same lis represented in Figs. 5 to 9 inclusive, the stocking shown in Fig. 8 being one made either from the blank of Figs. 1 to 4 or from the ,blank of Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 9. A

In Figs. 5, 6, and 7 is shown in successive stages the blank that is made in accordance with the said second embodiment. In said figures, the blank is preferably formed or provided with the same welt 3 as in the rst embodiment, and it is to be understood that thestructure of the fabric as to its non-run character by reason of the presence of a separate warp thread in each needle Wale is the same as in the firstl embodiment already described. The knitting of the blank is continued in the same manner and of the same width as the Welt down to the point where the rst narrowing begins, whether the same be just below the welt or at the calf portion. For convenienceof illustration and description, I have, in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, indicated the stocking blank as continued of the same'width as the welt down to a line 23-23. l' At thatpoint I narrow at the customary or suitable intervals, as indicated dia- Agrammatically along the edges of the blankv shown inFigs. 5, 6 and 7. The said narrowings may be one or two needles in widthat each edge of the blank and in said figures I have indicated A each narrowing as of.one needle width. Instead 'of proceeding as in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, I pref.;-

erably. (when the line 23--23 is reached) auto--` matically shorten ateach end of its stroke the traverse of the main thread carrier at intervals and I preferably do this in the automatic manner characteristic of the Reading machine as described in the said Parts Catalog. At the same time I cause the narrowing points toengage the stitches each composed of a loop of the main` knitting thread and a loop of the correlated warp threads and to shift the same inward preferably to the extent of one needle wale'each, thus producing the effect which is shown upon an enlarged scale in Fig. 9 at a. number of points 2l in Fig., 9. Anexamination of the said Fig. 9

will show that wherever the inward transfer of a stitch composed of a loop of the main knitting lthread and a loopof a. .warp thread occurs, fthe same is' superimposed upon a stitch in the next needle wale, likewise composed of a loop of the main knitting thread and a loop of the warp thread of that needle wale. Inasmuch as the traverse of the main knitting thread is at the same time automatically shortened wherever the transfer points shift the stitches inward as described, it will be evident that the warp thread ends of those wales to which the main knitting thread is no longer supplied, are caused or permitted to trail out as indicated more or less diagranunatically at 25 in Figs. 5, 6, '1, and 9, it being evident that the said trailing endsare still in their respective Warp guidesd These ,trailing ends (the length whereof I have merely diagrammatically indicated and which may each be such as to extend-to the toe of the blank) are subsequently trimmed off prior to the seaming together of the lateral edges of theblank. The said narrowings, which in this second embodiment containing the generic invention herein claimed, continue down to some suitable point, as, for example, that indicated by the line'26-26 in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, and thereafter the knitting of the instep portion of the foot, the heel tabs, the sole of the foot and thel toe is or may be the the completed stocking is that shown in Fig. 8,`

to which the same numerals are applied.

It will be understood that the full-fashioned or Hat-knit stocking or stocking blank knitted in accordance with either embodiment of the generic invention that is herein claimed, is herein shown as composed substantially throughout, as to the main or body or weft thread, of accurately measured, non-robbed, equal-length needle loops or stitches, and that each needle wale of the stocking blank from edge to edge thereof and including the fashioning wales are herein shown as having knitted successively into the stitches or loops thereof a separatewarp thread, each needle loop or stitch of each warp thread bein coordinatingly apportioned as to the length of threads constituting the same to the measured, corresponding needle loop or stitch of the said body thread, thereby preserving substantially normal lateral expansibility of the stocking, the fashioning stitches of the fashioning wales comprising laterally transferred stitches, each containing a loop of the said body thread and aloop of the warp thread pertaining to the respective wale of the fashioning wales. The stocking is substantially fully laterally expansible, as well as of a non-run or strongly run-resistant vcharacter. It will be observed that the Awarp threads extend uninterruptedly along the front of the leg into the instep of the foot in the respective but may, particularly in the rst embodiment,

'omit them from certain lateral edge wales, and it is to be understood thatv my invention is not limited toa warp thread to each needle Wale, since, as hereinbefore stated, my invention comprehends'a shaped orl fashioned knitted fabric having courses composed of a knitted body thread, and of a series of warp threads extending lengthwise the fabric and respectively knitted in loops in successive courses into different loops of said body thread in such courses and including fashioning needle wales of the fabric, stitches at the shaped or fashioned areas of 'said fabric being each composed ofa loop of said body thread and a loop .of one of said4 warp threads, together laterally transferred, thereby to shape or fashion the said fabric.'v

It will also be observed that the edges of the.

` loop of the body or mainv thread and a loop of the warp thread pertaining to the respective Wale of the fashioning wales, include loops at the calf or ankle portions of the stocking and also at the heel portions. Thus the stocking is fashioned by lat,- erally transferring stitches each comprising a loop of the body or main thread and a loop of a warp thread in each wale from which lateral transfer is made,

Both illustrative embodiments of my invention present or disclose a fashioned knitted stocking blank comprising weft knitted courses of plain loops and warp knitted courses of loops, one warp course for each Wale of the fabric and each warp curse having a loop for every loop in the Wale in which the warp course is arranged, said fabric associated warp loops transferred to the next having a 'weft loop incertain courses and the l wales for narrowing the leg fabric. The term Warp course is herein employed to indicate a Warp thread as it lies in a needle Wale of the fabric. Y, y

Having thus described two illustrative embodiments of a full-fashioned .or flat-knit, non-run or strongly run-resistant stocking containing my generic invention herein claimed, and the best mode known to me for making the same, it is to be understood that although specific terms are employed,`they are used in a generic and descriptive sense and that what is claimed in this case is the generic invention involving the transferl for narrowing purposes of stitches each comprising a loop of the main or body thread and a loop of a warp thread in each Wale from which lateral transfer is mada-the more specific invention which includes also the knitting oi' the blank ofA full Width at least to some extent past the commencement of the narrowings in the leg, and preferablydown to the toe, being claimed in my co-pending application Ser. No. 700,193, led November 29, 1933 now Patent No. 1,978,408.

I claim:

l.. A substantially fully laterally expansible, non-run or strongly run-resistant full-fashioned or flat-knit stocking, comprising substantially throughout as to the body thread accurately measured, non-robbed, equal length needle loops or stitches, substantially each needle Wale of the said stocking from edge to edge of `the blank thereforand including the fashioning Wales, having knitted successively into the stitches or loops thereof a separate Warp thread, each needle loop or stitch of each Warp thread being coordinately apportioned as to the length of thread constituting the same to the measured, corresponding needle loop or-stitch of the said body thread, thereby preserving substantially normal lateral expansibility of vthe stocking, the fashioning stitches of the fashioning Wales comprising laterally transferred stitches, each containing a loop of the said body thread and a loop of the warp thread pertaining tothe respective wale of the fashioning Wales.

2. Afsubstantially fully laterally expansible, non-run or strongly run-resistant full-fashioned or nat-knit stocking, comprising substantially throughout as to the body thread accurately measured, non-robbed, equal length needle loops or stitches, substantially each needle Wale of the said stocking from edge to edge of the blank ltherefor and'including the fashioning wales, having knitted successively into the stitches or loops .thereof a separate Warp thread, each needle loop or stitch of each Warp thread being coordinating- 1y apportioned as to .the length of thread constituting the same to the measured, corresponding a loop of the said l'body'thread and a loop ing needle loop or stitch of the said body thread,

thereby preserving substantially normal lateral expansibility of the stocking, the Warp threads extending uninterruptedly from the front of the leg into the instep of the foot in the respective needle Wales thereof, the fashioning stitches of' the fashioning wales comprising laterally transferred 1` stitches, eachcontaining a loop of the said body thread and a loop of the Warp thread pertaining to the respective Wale of the fashionmeasured, non-robbed, equal length needle loops or stitches, substantially each needle Wale of the also at the heel portions.

said stocking from edge to edge of the blank therefor and including the fashioning Wales, having knitted successively into the stitches or loops thereof a separate Warp thread, each needle loop or stitch of each Warpthread being coordinatingly apportioned as to the length of thread constituting the same to the measured; correspondingneedle loop or stitch of the said body thread,

measured, non-robbed, equal length needle loops or stitches, substantially each needle Wale of the said stocking from edge to edge of the blank therefor and including the fashioning wales, having'knitted successively into the stitches orloops thereof a separate warp thread each needle loop or stitch of each Warp thread beingcoordinatingly apportioned as to the length of thread constituting the same to the measured, correspondingneedie loopor stitch of the said body thread, thereby preserving substantially normal lateral expansibility of the stocking, the fashioning stitches of the fashioning Wales comprising laterallyl transferred stitches, each containing a loop of the said body thread and a loop of the warp thread pertaining tol the ,respective Wale of the fashioning Wales, said laterally transferred loops ,of fashioning Wales including loops at the calf orlankle portions of the stockingi Y 5. A substantially fully laterally expansible, non-run or strongly run-resistant full-fashioned or flat-knit` stocking, comprising substantially throughout asto the' body thread accurately measured, non-robbed, equal length needle loops or stitches, substantially each needle Wale of the said stocking from edge to edge of the blank Atherefor and including the fashioning wales, having knitted successively` into thestitches or loops thereof a separate warp thread, each needle loop or stitch of each warp thread-being coordinatingly apportioned as to the length of thread constituting the same tothe measured, correspdnding needle loop or stitch of the said body thread, thereby preserving substantially normal lateral expansibility of the stocking, the fashioning stitches of the fashioning Wales comprising laterally transferred stitches, each containof the Warp thread pertaining to the respective Wale of the fashioning Wales, said' laterally transferred loops of fashioningiwales including loops at the calf or ankle portion of the stocking and 6. That method of knitting a run-proof or strongly run-resistant .flat-knit stocking which includes knitting the blank for at least thefleg of the stocking by forming loops course by course from a vbody thread andv a separate Warp thread for substantially each needle Wale from edge to edge of said4 blank; fashioning the stocking by .i

laterally transferring stitches each comprising a loopv ofthe body thread anda loop of the Warp .thread lneach Wale from which lateral transfer is made; completing thefoot portion 4including heel and toe, and thereafter seaming `or securv a body thread and a separate warp thread for substantially each needle Wale from edge to edge. oi said blank; fashioning the stocking by laterally transferring at the edge portions/of the calf or ankle portion of the fabric blank stitches each comprising a loop of the body thread and a loop of the Warp thread in each Wale from which lateral transfer is made; completing the foot portion including heel and toe, and Athereafter seam.- ing or securing together the edges of the'fabric blank. Y

8. That vmethod of knitting a substantially fully laterally expansible, run-proof or strongly run-resistant flat-knit stocking which includes knitting the blank for at least the leg ofthe stocking by forming loops course by course from a. body thread anda separate Warp thread for substantially each needle Wale from edge to edge of said' blank; fashioning the stocking by llaterally transferring stitches each comprising a loop of the body -thread and a loop of the'warp thread in each Wale from which lateral` transfer is made; continuing the knitting of the warp threads of the front ,part of the leg uninterruptedly into the corresponding needle wales of the instep of the foot; completing the foot portionincluding heel and toe, and thereafter seaming or securing together the edges of the fabric blank.'

9. -A non-run or strongly run-resistant flatknit stocking, substantially each needle Wale of `the said stocking from edge to edge of the blank therefor, and including the fashioning wales,

having knitted successively into the stitches or loops thereof a separate Warp thread, the fashioning stitches of the fashioning wales comprising laterally transferred stitches, each containing a loop of the said body thread and a loop of the warp thread pertaining to the respective wale of the fashioning wales.`

10. A stocking according to claim 9, having the edges of the stocking blank seamed or secured` together along the sides and bottom of the foot 'and along the back of the leg.

11. A fashioned knitted stocking blank comprising weft knitted courses of plain loops and Warp knitted courses of loops, one warp course for each Wale of the fabric and each warp course having a loop for every loop in the wale in which the warp course is arranged, said fabric having a weft loop in certain courses and the associated Warp loops transferred to the next Wales for narrowing the leg fabric.

l2. That method of knitting a run-proof or strongly run-resistant full-fashioned stocking which includes knitting the blank for at least they leg of the stocking by forming loops course by, course from a body thread and a separate warp thread-'for substantially each needle wale from edge to edge of said blank, fashioning the stocking by laterally transferring stitches each comprising a loop of the body thread and a loop 13. That method of knitting a run-proof or strongly run-resistant full-fashioned or fiat-knit stocking blank which includes knitting said blank for at least the leg of the stocking by forming loops course by course from a* body thread and a series of warp threads, one for substantially each needle wale of,said blank, said warp threads being thereby collectively knitted into substantially all the stitches of said needle wales, thereby to render the resulting fabric of a non-run character substantially throughout, and laterally' transferring inward stitches of the said blank, each such stitch composed of a loop of said body thread and a loop of a warp thread, thereby to provide fashonings or narrowings.

14. That method of knitting a shaped or fashioned run-proof or strongly run-resistant fabric which includes knitting said fabric by forming loops course by course from a body thread and a series of warp threads, one for substantially each needle Wale of said fabric, said Warp threads being thereby collectively knitted into substantially all the stitches of said needle wales, thereby to render the resulting fabric of a non-run character substantially throughout, and laterally transferringstitches of said fabric, each such stitch composed of a loop of said body thread and a loop of a warp thread, thereby to shape the fabric. l

15. A shaped or fashioned run-proof or strongly run-resistant' fabric having courses of loops composed of a body thread and of a series of Warp threads, one for substantially each needle .Wale of said fabric, said Warp threads being collectively knitted into substantially all the stitches ofv said needle wales, thereby to render the resulting fabric of a non-run character substantially throughout, said fabric having stitches each composed of a loop of said body thread and a loop of a warp thread laterally transferred to shape the fabric.

16. A knitted blank for a run-proof or strongly run-resistant full-fashioned or flat-knit stocking, the courses whereby are `composed of a knitted body thread and a series of Warp threads one for substantially each needle wale of said fabric blank, said warp threads being collectively knitted 'into substantially all the stitches of said needle wales, thereby to render the said fabric blank of a non-run character substantially throughout, said fabric blank having stitches each composed of a loop of said body thread and a loop of a warp thread laterally transferred inward to narrow the fabric.

1'7. A shaped or fashioned knitted fabric having courses composed of a knitted body thread, and of a series of warp threads extending lengthwise the fabric and respectively knitted in loops in successive courses into different loops of said body thread in such courses, and including fashioning needle wales of the fabric, stitches at the shaped or fashioned areas of said fabric being each composed'of a loop of said body thread and a loop of one of said warp threads, together laterally transferred, thereby to shape or fashion the said fabric.

.18. A knitted blank for a run-proof or strongly run-resistant full-fashioned or flat knit stocking, the courses whereof are composed of loops or stitches of a knitted body thread and a series of knitted warp threads one for substantially each needle wale of.. said fabric blank, said warp threads being collectively knitted into lsubstantially all the stitches of said needle wales from edge to edge-thereof and including the so-called fashioning wales, thereby to render said fabric y ferred fromv such fashioning needle wales.

19. That method of knitting a run-proof or stronglyrun-resistant full-fashioned or flat-knit -,stocking blank, which includes knitting said blank'A for at least the leg of the stocking by forming knitted loops or stitches course by course from a body thread andl from a series of Warp threads, one for substantially each needle Wale of said fabric blank, said warp threads being thereby collectively knitted into substantially all the stitches of said needle wales from edge to edge thereof and including the so-called fashioning wales, thereby to render said fabric blank of a non-run character substantially throughout,l -and laterally transferring inward stitches, each composed 'of a warp thread loop and a weft thread loop, from such fashioning needle wales at the narrowing areas, thereby to provide fashionings or narrowings.

20. A full-fashioned orilat-knit run-proof or strongly run-resistant stocking or blank therefor, comprising a main or body yarn incorporated into all the wales from'edge to edge and all the courses of at least the leg thereof, and va series o f warp threads or yarns, one for substantially each needle Wale from edge. to edge of the said fabric and collectively knitted into substantially all the stitches of all said needle Wales, so that substantially each stitch of the main yarn ofthe said fabric has a stitch of warp thread, to render the resulting fabric 1 of a non-run character throughout, said stocking or blank therefore having, at opposite edge portions thereof at narrowing (fashioning) areas spaced lengthwise the stocking or blank, needle stitches, each composed Iof a vwarp thread loop and a weft thread loop,

laterally `transferred inward from needle wales that had each soreceived a warp thread.

2l. A full-fashioned or flat-knit run-proof or strongly run-resistant` stocking or blank therefor, comprising a main or body yarn incorporated into all the wales from edge to edge and all the courses of at least the leg thereof, and a series of ywarp threads lor yarns, one for substantially each needle wale from edge to edge of the said fabric and collectively knitted into substantially all the stitches of all said needle wales, so that lsubstantially each stitch of the main yarn of the said fabric has a stitch of a Warp thread, to render the resulting fabric of a non-run character throughout, said4 stocking or blank having at opposite narrowing (fashioning) areas spaced lengthwise the stocking blank, a knitted stitch,`

composed of a warp thread loop and a weft thread loop, at each such area laterally translferred inward from a needle Wale which wale had received a warp thread in each needle stitch thereof.

22.1 A full-fashioned or flat-knit run-proof or strongly run-resistant stocking or blank there-A for', comprising a main or body yarn incorporated into all Vthe wales from edge to edge and all the courses of at least the leg thereof, and a series of additional warp threads, or yarns, one for substantially each needle Wale from edge to edge of the said fabric and collectively knitted into substantially all the stitches of all said needle wales, so that substantially each stitch of the main yarn oi' the said fabric has a stitch of an additional or warp thread, to rendery the resulting fabric of a non-run character throughout, said stocking 23.` That method of knitting full-fashioned orflat-knit hosiery which is run-proof or strongly run-resistant throughout the entire extent thereof, comprising the following steps: introducing a main knitting thread and forming therewith course after course of regular loops throughout the extent of at least the leg portion of the hosiery blank; and introducing a separate warp thread into each loop of each needle wale of the fabric coincidently with the laying of the respective courses of the fabric and knitting the same into and with the main knitting thread loops of the said needle wales throughout the lengthwise and transverse extent of the said hosiery blank; and shaping the fabric at the selvage portions by causing narrowing points to shift stitches, each composed of a ,warp thread loop and a weft thread loop,zlaterally inward atintervals spaced lengthwise the blank corresponding substantially tothe usual spacing of narrowings in full-fashioned hosiery.

24. A full-fashioned or fiat-knit run-proof or strongly run-resistant stocking or selvaged'blank therefor, comprising a main or body yarn or thread incorporated into all 'the needle Wales from edge to edge thereof and including fashionltion, so that substantially each stitchof said main or body yarn or thread of the said fabric vhas symmetrically incorporated therewith a vstitch of a warp. yarn or thread, to render the resulting fabric of a non-run character throughout from selvage to selvage, the leg blank being narrowed or fashioned by reason of stitches of needle Wales transferred laterally inward at fashioning areas or points, each said transferred stitch being composed both of a warp thread loop and a weft thread loop, saidr stocking having a suitable heel,

foot and toe. v

25. That method of knitting a full-fashioned or fiat-knit run-proof or strongly run-resistant stocking including the following steps: knitting a main yarn or thread by traversing the same from edge to edge of the blank in successive courses including the edge needle wales of the fabric, to form a at selvaged blank for the leg of a stocking; throughout the knitting of said le`g blank and coincidently with the laying of the respect'ive courses of the loops of the main yarn or thread introducing and knitting with the said course-bycourse knitting of the main yarn `a separate warp thread symmetrically into and with Cil \ composed both of a throughout the extent thereof from edge to edge including said fashioning Wales, and shaped but uncut selvage edges are provided; and narrowing or fashioning the fabric during the knitting of the leg blank by causing transfer of stitches, each WarpV thread loop and a weft thread loop, laterally inWard'at the selvage portions, as by the action of narrowing points of the full-fashioned knitting machine Whereon the stocking is knitted; knitting the heel, foot and toe, and suitably seaming the blank.

26. A full fashioned or flat-knit run-proofy ory strongly run-resistant stocking consisting of aA main or body yarn incorporated into all the needle Wales from edge to edge and all the courses thereof, and a series of Warp" threads or yarns, one for substantially each needle Wale from edge to edge of the fabric, and each knitted symmetrically into and With all the stitches o-f its own needle Wale andcontinued therein throughoutthe continuance of that Wale as a separate Wale, so that the sinker Wales are devoid of Warp threads,

the leg blank` being narrowed or fashioned by reason of stitches of needle Wales transferred laterally inward at fashioning areas or points, each such transferred stitch being composed of a Warp thread loop and a weft thread loop; said stocking havinga heel, foot and toe. a

27. A shaped or fashioned, selvaged knitted fabric having courses composed of a knitted body thread, and of a series of Warp threads extending lengthwise the fabric. and respectively knitted in loops in successive courses into different loops `of said body thread Lin such coursesy and including fashioning needle wales of the fabric, stitches at' the shaped or fashioned. areas of said fabric being each composed of a loop of said body thread and a loop of one of said warp threads, together laterally transferred, thereby to shape or fashion the said fabric, said laterally transferred stitches including stitches originating and existing at the actual selvage edges of the fabric.

28. A shaped or fashioned run-proof or strongly run-resistant, selvaged fabric having courses of loops composed of a body thread and of a series of warp threads, one for substantially each needie' Wale of said fabric, said warp.` threads being collectively knitted ,into 'substantially all the stitches of said needle Wales, thereby to render the resulting fabric of a non-run character sub-`v stantially throughout, said fabric having stitches each composed of a loop of said body thread and a loop of a warp thread laterally transferred 4to shape the fabric, said laterally transferred stitches including stitches originating and existing at the actual vselvage edges of the fabric.

29. That `method`of knitting a shaped or fashioned run-proof or strongly run-resistant, sel- Vaged fabric which includes knitting said fabric by forming loops course by course from a body vthread and a series of Warp threads, one for substantially each needle Wale of said fabric, said Warp threads being thereby collectively knitted into substantially all the stitches of said needle Wales, thereby to render the resulting, fabric of a non-run character substantially throughout, and laterally transferring stitches of said fabric, including stitches originating and existing at the actual selvages of the fabric, each such stitch( composed of a loop of said body thread and a loop of a Warp thread, thereby to shape the fabric. 30. A shapedl or fashioned knitted fabric having courses composed of a knitted body thread and of a series of -warp threads extending lengthwise the fabric and respectively ing Wales, and collectively knitted in loops in into and with substantially all the stitches of al1' selvage edges Whereat the said body thread is persistently returned, in unsevered condition, upon itself in a succeeding course, certain at least of said laterally transferred stitches being at said.

selvage edges.

31.V A shaped or fa'shionedrun-proof or strongly run-resistant fabric having courses of loops composed of a body thread and of a series of Warp threads, one for substantially each needle Wale of said fabric, said Warp threads being collectively knitted into substantially all the stitches of said needle Wales, thereby to render the resulting fabric of a non-run character substantially throughout, said fabric having stitches each composed of a loop of said body thread and a loop of a Warp thread laterally transferred` to shape the fabric, said shapedor fashioned fab- `ric having selvage edges whereat the said body thread is persistently returned, in unsevered conditions upon itself in a succeeding course, certain l at least of said laterally transferred stitches being at said selvage edges.

32j'` That method of knitting a shaped or fashioned run-proof or strongly run-resistant,

selvaged fabric which includes knitting said fabric by forming loops course by course from a body thread persistently returned, in unsevered condition, in a succeeding course upon itself, and a series of Warp threads, one forv substantially each 'needle Wale of said fabric, said Warp threads being thereby collectively knitted into substantially all the stitches of said needle wales, thereby to render the resulting fabric of a non-run character substantially throughout, and laterally transferring' stitches of said fabric, including stitches originating and existing at the actual selvage edges of the fabric, each such stitch composed of a loop of said body thread and a loop of a Warp thread, thereby to shape the fabric.

dle Wales thereof, the end weft loops of certain courses of the leg portion of said stocking blank and the associated Warp loops of said end Weft loops being transferred to adjacent wales for narrowing the leg portion of the blank and provid- -ing reinforced selvage edges at such portions.

35; A full-fashioned-or ilat-knitrun-proof or strongly run-resistantstocking or selvaged blank therefor, comprisinga main or body yarn or and were, flat knitted,-

thread incorporated into all the needle wales* from edge to edge thereof and including fashioning Wales, and all the courses of at least the leg thereof, and a sries of Warp yarns or threads, one'for substantially each to edge of the fabric and including the fashionsymmetrically knitted needle Wale from edge said needle wales, so that the respective knitted loops of each such warp thread lie in parallelism with the loops of the main thread with which each such Warp thread loop is drawn into a loop in the knitting operation, so that substantially each stitch of said main or body yarn or thread of the said fabric has symmetrically incorporated therewith a stitch of a warp yarn or thread, to render the resulting fabric of a non-run charac- 10 ter throughout from salvage to selvage, the said warp yarns or threads being of the same character as the main yarn or thread so as to give a uniform structure and appearance to the resulting hosiery, stitches of the fashioning Wales of the stocking being laterally transferred inward to shape or fashion the stocking, each such laterally transferred stitch being composed both of a warp thread loop and a weft thread loop.

ELLSWORTH E. CARLSON. 

